/Yellow/
“So, which one's it going to be, big one or little one?” I ask, pointing at a banner hanging from the ceiling. It's a picture of today's contenders, both doing their best to look menacing. Doesn't really work once you've gone up against a Core.
“I haven't seen them in person yet, how would I know? Be patient,” Yue chastises me. Okay, okay, I'm just excited. I always get like this at fights. It's the martial artist in me, y'know? I just love the thrill of watching, the grace of the movement, and the glorious thing of watching two people beat the tar out of each other. Is that so wrong?
When I think about it like that I'm really, really glad I didn't get Yue's weapon. From the way she describes it, it's way, way more than just a Monster encyclopaedia. There's all sorts of info in there, all about how things move, the physics of biology, guidelines for ki flows, body language analysis... Finding a Core's weak point isn't as simple as look up the relevant entry and note the handy diagram. It's complicated on a level I can't even imagine, which is yet another reason why I'm glad I don't have it. But the main reason...
“There. The big one's going to win.” Ah, she demonstrates. You see, with that information flowing around inside her head all the time, Yue... knows is the best word, she knows exactly what someone's going to do next, in a fight, at a diner table, in everything. She knows how anyone will react, core or human. And she always knows, she can't turn it off. She says it's even stronger when the power is with us. She can actually see the ki in a persona aura then. I don't know whether that's a good thing or bad, really. I know it's no fun to live with though.
“You're sure? The small one's style is kinda famous for...” I trail off when she gives me 'the look', which means 'Yes, I'm absolutely sure the small one is going home in very fine pieces, and only if he's extremely lucky. If you do not stop questioning my ability's, the same will happen to you.' “Eheh, right, right, all money on the big one, got it!”
Where was I? Oh yeah. So I'm glad I didn't get her weapon. The wrist blades I got are much more my style. Sleek, precise, manoeuvrable, and sharp enough to cut through anything, short of the toughest of Cores. And I mean anything; it's a magical weapon after all. They're a little difficult to manage, a small slip up could really hurt someone (least of all me), but with all the training I've had it's not so difficult to avoid.
Now if you want huge amounts of destruction, you should try Asuna. She swings a mean sword, and it's not just sharp. No no, she gets energy blasts out of the thing to. They tend to be kinda uncontrollable to. She hasn't really used that ability since she levelled an office block by accident. Actually I'm kinda glad she's showing such restraint, that scared all of us. During the day we're just ordinary girls, it's weird to suddenly have so much power out of nowhere. Plus the police weren't to happy about it either.
Kaede's weapon is much more reasonable. Well, in comparison. The ability to create an actual storm of giant shuriken at will could be considered destructive, I suppose, but I've only ever seen her go up to like, 30 or so. Of course, by then Cores are normally either dust or nailed to the floor, so she hasn't really needed to make more... Scary thought.
Of course Makie's weapon is the most reasonable, as in least destructive. All she has is a ribbon. Fair enough, it's strong enough to bind up a Core Beast, and that's no small feat, and she's almost supernatural waving a normal one about even during the day, but can it level an office block? Makie's the only one besides Yue who didn't get a weapon capable of taking out a Core by itself. Lucky the two of them can make any handy item into a temporary weapon by imbuing it with the power for a while, or these damn nights would last even longer.
Ah ha, the fight's stating! Alright, I've been waiting for this. Yue's good, sure, but she's been wrong before, and I really don't think she-
Oh. Oh, ouch. Ooh, he's not going to- Woah! He is! He totally is! How the heck did he reverse that hold?
“Yeah, get 'im, get 'im!” Asuna's getting carried away already.
“Oh yeah, he ain't so pretty no more!” And Makie used to be such a sweet, innocent girl. What have we done to her?
“Come on small guy! You aren't just gunna let him throw you like that are you? Come on, stop being a disgrace to your art damnit!” Yes, I know all my money is riding on the big guy, but damn this is one sided.
Oh, he's pulling back to deliver the final blow. I reach back and cover Makie's eyes, ignoring her yelp of protest. I know she'll have nightmares if she sees what this move does. Did. Oh, Ew.
“And it's over. Well that was brutal.” Kaede hums, leaning back and stroking her chin. I'm so jealous. It's not fair that she gets a wise master face without even trying and I get stuck resorting to a fake beard and moustache combo if I want to look the same. I'm the one who people go to for martial arts training!
“Huh? What happened, I missed it!” Makie wines, giving me a hurt look. I don't care that you wanted to see it young lady, it was just to gory, and that's final. Honestly, some kids...
Yue isn't saying anything. She's just giving me a smug little grin as if to say 'And never question me again. You may now kiss my feet.' Dangit she's good.
Asuna stands up and heads over to the betting crowd to collect our winnings. “Come on guys, I want to catch that show some point before sun down, ok?”
Yeah yeah, on it. Lousy psychic bookworms.
I really enjoy our days off.
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(Posted Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:39)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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